Combined bag latch and coin holder



Feb.. 24, l948. l. HENNE COMBINED BAG-LATCH AND COIN-HOLDER Filed nec. 29, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 1 f AN mm M Q A 4 0J M 4 u @mi n Feu 24, 1948. l. HENNE 2,436,646

' s COMBINED BAG-LATCH COIN-HOLDER I filed nec. 2 9, '1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 Ta `fla.

:l JyVENToR,

Patented Feb. 24, 1948 UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE.y

COMBINED BAG LATCH AND COIN HOLDER Isabelle Henne, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application December 29, 1944, Serial No. 570,340 4 claims. (01.'150-35) This invention relates to a combined bag-lock and coin-holder for a lady's handbag. This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 519,974, illed J anuary 26, 1944. The expression handbag as used herein includes any form of portable carrier or portable bag including among others, a handbag,4

pocketbook, purse, muil-purse, etc.

Women generally carry a small change purse inside a handbag. A change purse is usually a part of the equipment of a ladys handbag. It takes time and eilort to open the handbag, locate l and open the change purse and iind and extract a coin or token of the desired denomination.

When burdened with a number of packages or an umbrella this diiliculty is greatly increased,

Another object is a handbag from which a stored coin or token can be located and removed,

by the use of only one hand.

Another object is a handbag having the coins or tokens stored and readily available for instant use without searching.

Another Objectis a handbag wherein coinsor tokens of different values can be quickly located and removed under unfavorable conditions of light and operating space.

Another object is an ornamental bag-lock and coin-holder which combines ornamentation with utility.

Other objects will appear from the detailed de- In accordance-with this invention, a coin or token-holder conforming generally to the size and shape of the coin or token to be stored therein, is combined in ornamental fashion with the frame and lock-mechanism of the bag, so that coins or tokens of a certain value may be stacked in the coin-holder and released from the frame in succession by the use of only one hand. Specically the coin-holder may be incorporated as part. of the ornamental handbag-lock-mechanism, and attached to the bag frame in any conventional way. l

In the drawing consisting of two lsheets of thirteen gures, numbered Figs. 1 to 3,"3s and 4 to 12 inclusive. certain structural embodiments of the invention are set forth.

Fig. l is a perspective view of a handbag having the invention embodied in the. bag-lock, which also serves as a hand grip.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of' a bag-lock and frame, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional View of the bag-lock partially broken away, taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a side view of a spring pintle partially broken away.

Fig. 4 is anl end view'of the coin or tokencoin-holder lock taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a modified construction of the coinholder shown generally in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross sectional View taken along the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 9 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figs. 1-1 and 12 are vertical cross sectional views of two other modified forms of tlie'coin-holder lock of Fig. 10. l

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. v

, The portable carriers or handbags, variously indicated by the numerals 20 and |20 in the different gures of the drawings may be made of any v' preferred material or fabric, and attached in any conventional way to the jaw members 3i-3l or I3 I-I3I of a suitable bag frame. The frame may consist of two solid, or channelied jaw members 3I-3I or l3I-I3l fabricated out of any desired material -in any desiredshape, and hinged together at 42.

The locking device 2| (Figs. 1 to 3) which may also constitute a handle may be of any suitable material such as metal, wood, bone, ivory, plastic, or precious or semi-precious stones, or any combination of them, fashioned in the form of a rod or tube containing an elongated cavity 22, of circular cross section, dening a wel! or chamber adapted to house a stack of coins or tokens 26, 21 of the same or different dimensions. dependent upon the denomination or value of the coin or token. Each well or chamber 22 is slightly larger than the coins or tokens to be stored therein, to enable said coins or tokens to slide freely in an out of the chamber 22. The coins or tokens 25 may be nickels, and those indicated at 21 may be nickels or dimes, although coins and tokens of other denominations or values may be used if preferred.

A coiled spring 23 is placed in each well 22 (Fig. 3). One end of the spring 23 seats itself upon the bottom wall of the well 22, and the opposite end of the spring is seated in a cavity formed by the peripheral ange 50 of the movable coin platform 25 which forms a coin carrier. axially movable in the well 22, under control of the spring 23.

The mouth of the well or chamber 22 is partially closed by an end piece 28 having the central section thereof cut away to form a finger slot (Figs. 1 and 4). The end piece 28 extends inwards to overhang the side wall of the well or chamber 22 thus forming laterally extending shoulders 55 which engage the peripheral edge of the uppermost or outermost coin or token 26 (Fig. 4), to constitute means for retaining the coins or tokens in stacked condition under the tension of coiled spring 23.

The wells or chambers 22, shown in Fig. 3 may extend for the full length of the locking handle 2|. thus forming one continuous chamber or well 22 (Fig. 5), extending for a substantial tension of the common spring 24 is sufficient to move the coin platforms or carriers 25 outwardly and force the outermost coin or token 28 in each stack into engagement with the laterally extending shoulder 55 of the abutting coin stop 28 to prevent premature or accidental release of the coin. Each end piece 28 has a U-shaped opening therein (Fig. 4), forming a finger slot of lesser width than the coin` or token 26, 21 but large enough to permit the ball of the linger or thumb to slidably depress the outermost coin or token 26. 21 in the operation of removing it from the stack.

The well 22 of the locking handle 2|, may be formed in any preferred manner. When the handle 2| is made of plastic material, the well or chamber may be molded therein during the manufacturing operation. The flanges 60 formed along the peripheral edges of the platforms orcoin carriers 25, (Fig. 3) should be of suillcient depth and thickness to enclose the springseat and prevent the end of the spring from being displaced and becoming wedged betweenV theI outer wall of the ange and theside wall ofthe well or chamber 22.

The coin-holder and locking handle 2| may be relatively plain as shown in Fig. 1 or it may include any preferred form of ornamental head such as the ornamental head 45 of the handle 62| illustrated in Fig. 6. Instead of providing a double ended cylinder as shown in Figs. 1 and 3' a single coin-holder accessible at one end of the locking handle 2| may be provided, and the other end may then be finished oil.' in -any preieiledlllanner or as a dummy coin-holder.

The combined coin-holder and locking-handle 2| may be mounted upon a suitable base plate 33 having holed ears 36 formed thereon (Figs. 2 and 3), which may be fastened to one jaw member 3| of the bag frame in any suitable manner. as by means of a spring pintle 36 for hinging the base plate 33 upon one jaw member 3| of the bag frame. Base plate 33 may be secured to the housing of the handle lock 2| in any suitable manner as by means of the screws 43. If the handle lock were made of metal, machine screws or rivets might be substituted for screws 43, or the handle lock 2| and base plate 33 welded. The base plate 633 may be provided with elongated slots 66 (Fig. 6) for permitting longitudinal adjustment of the handle lock 62| relative to the base plate 633; it may also be slotted at 834 (Fig. 6) to receive the catch 32 (Fig. 2)

Each jaw 3| ci' the frame may be fabricated in channelled form (Fig. 2) so as to define a channel 4l. The upper wall of one of thejaws 3| may be provided with spaced slots for receiving the holed ears 35, and the spring pintle 36 (Fig. 3a) is then inserted through the holed ears 35, with the flattened median section 31 of the spring pintle in registry with the flattened openings in i the holed ears 35. thus anchoring the base plate 33 to one jaw member 3| of the frame (Fig. 2). The pintle 36 is made of spring steel or the like. and a part, for example one end section 36 thereof. is bent substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the section 31 to denne a substantially L-shaped pintle 36 (Fig. 3a).

The l ..shaped end of the pintle 36 engages the wall of the channel 4| of one jaw member 3| of the bag frame (Fig. 2), so that when the handle lock 2| is operated. the base plate 33 and pintle 36 rock in unison relative to the jaw members 3| of the bag frame, and the L-shaped portion of the spring pintle 36 engages the wall of channel 4| (Fig.-2) to store sufcient energy in the spring pintle 36 to return the handle lock 2| to normal when pressure is removed therefrom A catch 32 is stamped out of, or otherwise formed upon,

the other jaw member 3| of the bag frame and a flange or Vtongue 44 (Fig. 2), or slot 634 (Fig. 6) is formed on or in the base plate 33 or 633 to engage the catch 32 (Fig. 2) and lock the hinged jaw members 3|-3| of the bag frame in the closed position shown generally in Figs. 1 and 2.

Instead of securing a base plate 33 or 633 to the housing ofthe handle lock 2| as shown generally in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, the holed ears 35 and slot 43 may be molded as an integral part of the housing of the handle lock |2|, substantially as shown in Fig. 5. The housing |2| may also be constructed by joining two sections together. One of said sections may be male threaded and the other provided with a collar which may be female threaded to receive the male threaded end of the complementary section, or the male and female threaded couplings may be omitted and the sections provided with the rabbetted Joint 53, the sections being secured together by means of a suitable cement 54. Thev opposite end of each of the said sections would be partially enclosed by an end piece 28, having the central portion thereof cut away to form a.` finger slot. In the construction shown in Fig. 5, the tubular casing 2| may be molded out of plastic material and the holed earsA 35 and slot 43 molded or otherl bling the parts together.

of the housing |2|, the opposite end of the housing being open. The coin platform 25-25 and the common spring 24 may be inserted through the open end of the housing which may then be closed by cementing a coin stop 28 in place.

Fig. 6 is an exploded. view of the handle lock 32|, vbase plate 633, with the holed ear 635, yand suitable means such as the screws 434 for assem- The handle locks 82| (Fig. 6) may be provided with one or more ornamental end pieces 45 for containing-the coinholder(s).

The invention may also be embodied in a barrel lock substantially as shown in Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive. The barrel lock |48 may be of any desired shape; circular, elliptical, hexagonal, square. etc. The barrel lock |48 (Fig. 8) may be mounted upon one element of the bag frame |3| in the manner.shown generally in Figs. 1 to 6, or by means of a spring stud |38 (Fig. 8). In the construction shown in Fig. 8 the cavity in the barrel |48 is large enough to receive the housing or casing |29 ofa separate and self-contained coin-holder unit. The coin-holder unit `|29 may be of any suitable material, either metal or plastic. 'I'he chamber |22 oi unit |29 is large enough to accommodate the coins or tokens. |26 which are supported upon the customary coin platform or coin carrier |25 actuated by the coiled spring |23. The coin stop |28 may be cemented to the upper end of the housing |29 in any suitable way but is preferably molded las an integral part of the housing may either be made vin the form of a disc |41, or it may be omitted altogether,

'catch |32 out oi the complementary element of the bag frame |3|.

Barrel lock |48 may be constructed in a variety of ways; certain of said constructions being illustrated. at |48, 248 and 348 respectively, in Figs. 9 to 12.

In Figs. 9 and l0 the barrel lock |48 is mounted upon one channelled element of the bag frame |3| by one (or more) holed ears |35 which may be press Yiltted into, or otherwise formed upon. a metal base plate |33. Base plate |33 may in turn be detachably attached to the barrel lock |48 by any suitable means such as the screws |43 (Fig. 10). The attened portion of the 'spring pintle |38 (Fig. 9) regi-sters in the holed ear(s)f |35, and the opposite ends of spring pintle |38 may be bent substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the spring pintle to form .anchoring lugs |39 and |48 positioned. in the channel |4| of one of the elements of bag frame |3|, so as to engage the wall of the channel, so that when barrel lock |48 is rocked upon spring pintle |38 the torque imparted to the flattened portion of the spring pintle stores up sufficient energy in the spring to return barrel lock |48 to normal when'released. 'I'he catch |32 forming a part of one element of the bag frame |3| eng/ages a .suitable slot or recess |49 formed in the base plate |33 to lock the elements of bag frame 3| in closed position (see Figs. 8 and l0). The coiled spring |23 which actuates the coin platform |25 may be supported by the base plate |33 directly, or indirectly by means of a disc having an upstanding peripheral ilange 58 enclosing the spring seat (seealso Fig. 11) If the barrel lock |48 is of molded or cast construction, coin stop |23 may be formed as an integral part of the casting. l

F18. 11 shows another modi'ed construction o! the barrel lock. As shown the coin stop 228 forms an' integral part of the housing of the barrel locks 243, but coin stops 228 may be formed separately in which case it may Ibe secured to the-tubular housing of barrel lock 248 in any preferred manner. The holed ears 235 may be formed as an integral part of4 base plate 233 which may' be secured to the base oi the housing trance tothe well or chamber |22, so that the base plate 333 may be screwed into the lower end of the chamber |22 to seal the bottom yoi the chamber and'retain the coiled spring |23 in position. The base plate 333 may also be provided with one (or more) holed ears 335, and annular ange 5I enclosing the seat for coiled spring |23. The annular ange 5| tends to retain the coiled spring |23 in correct axial alignment relative to the coin platform |25. When it is desirable that the housing of barrel lock 348 be detachably attachable upon the base plate 333 without removing the pintle |38, the screw |43 may be omitted. I n the construction shown in Fig. 12, the coin stop 328 is molded as an integral part of the casing 348.

The modied constructions illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 are mounted upon one jaw member 3| or |3I of the bag frame by means of a spring pintle 36 (Fig. 3a) or |38 (Fig. 9) in the manner previously described. The coin stop 228 or 328, and the base plate 233 or 333 with its holed ears 235 or 335 and slot 249 or 349, may be formed separately and attached to the housing element of the barrel 248 or 348 shown in Figs. 11 and 12, or when the housing isvcast or molded, either the coin stop 228 or 328, or the holed ear (s) v 235, 335 and the slot 249, 349, may form an iny tegral part of the housing structure of the barrel or casing '248er 348.

Any of the base plates 33, |33, 233, 333, 533 may be constructed as shown in any of the figures of the drawings. For example any of the base plates might be punched from a two-ply metal blank 533 substantially as shown in Fig. 6; or provided with a catch fastener like the ange 44 (Fig. 2) or with a groove |49 instead of the slot 834 (compare Figs. 8, 10 and 6).

Lucite or other plastic may be used when the handles 2|, 82|, the barrel locks |48, 248, 348, or the jaw members 3|, I 3| of the bag frame, are molded out of plastic material.

Other modifications of applicants handle lock 2| and barrel lock |48 within the scope of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

` vided with a slot through which the fingertip may be inserted to release the: coin and displace it laterally through said exit, said handle being adapted to be hingedly mounted upon a bag frame in co-operative ,registry with the complementary element of the latch-mechanism, said hinge including a spring pintle operable to retain both elements ofthe latch-mechanism in co-operativeV registry. y

2. A handbag latch comprising a coin-holder housing, said housing consisting of two subhousings arranged in axial alignmentto form a handle, said handle also including one element of a latch-mechanism, each sub-housing including a carrier for supporting a stack of coins and a coin stop partially enclosing the sub-housing exit, each coin stop having an overhanging shoulder for engaging the marginal edge of the topmost coin of its particular stack and a slot through which the fingertip may be inserted to release said coin and displace it laterally through said exit, means for moving said carrier to ad- Vance the coins towards their respective subhousing exits, said handle being adapted to be hingedly mounted upon a bag frame in co-operative registry with the complementary element of the latch-mechanism, and said hinge including a spring pintle resiliently operable to normally retain both elements of the latch-mechanism in co-operative registry.

3. A handbag latch comprising a handle, said handle also forming one element of the latchmechanism, a chamber formed in said handle for housing a stack of coins, an exit for said chamber, a carrier for the stacked coins positioned within the chamber, means for moving said carrier to advance said coins axially in said chamber, a coin stop partiallyY inclosing the chamber exit, said coin stop having an overhanging shoulder for engaging the marginal edge of the topmost coin in the stack, said shoulder being provided with a slot through which the fingertip may be inserted to release the coin and displace it laterally through said exit, an ear depending from said handle, said ear having an elongated hole formed therein for hingedly mounting said `handle upon a bag frame in co-operative registry with the complementary element of the latchmechanism, and said hinge-mounting including a spring pintle which when keyed in said elongated hole is reslliently operable to normally retain both elements of the latch-mechanism in co-operative registry.

4. A handbag latch comprising a handle, the

base of said handle being slotted to form one eie-v ment of the latch-mechanism, a chamber formed in said handle for housing a stack of coins, an exit for said chamber, a carrier for the stacked coins positioned within the chamber, means for moving said carrier to advance said coins axially in said chamber, a coin stop partially enclosing the chamber exit, said coin stop having an overhanging shoulder for engaging the marginal edge of the topmost coin in the stack, said shoulder being provided with a slot through which the ngertip may be inserted to release the coin and displace it laterally through said exit, a holed ear press-fitted into the base of said handle for hingedly mounting said handle upon a bag frame in co-operative registry with the complementary element of the latch-mechanism, the hole in said ear being elongated, and said hinge-mounting including a spring pintle seatable in said elongated hole and when so seated being reslliently operable to normally retain both elements of the latch-mechanism in eo-operative registry. ISABELLE HENNE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name -Date 191,336 Guild May 29, 1877 1,129,730 Reich Feb. 23, 1915 1,184,451 Hiering May 23, 1910 1,350,9804 Stone Aug. 24, 1920 1,451,028 Prahar Apr. 10, 1923 1,541,496 Hauser June 9, 1925 1,765,671 Hiering June 24, 1930 1,833,037 Poeter Nov. 24, 1931 1,905,117 Miller Apr. 25, 1933 2,032,227 Rosovsky Feb. 25, 1936 2,044,874 Calem et al June 23, 1936 2,055,238 Merk Sept. 22, 1936 2,181,806 Fulton Nov. 28, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 642,696 France May 6, 1928 794,727

France Dec. 26, 1935 

